NASA utilizes two space-based observatories called STEREO.   One is ahead of Earth in its orbit, the other trailing behind.  With this new pair of viewpoints, scientists all over the world are able to see the structure and evolution of solar storms as they blast from the Sun and move out through space.

Comprised of four instruments: an extreme Ultraviolet Imager, two White-Light Coronagraphs and a Heliospheric Imager. These instruments study the 3-D evolution of CME's from birth at the Sun's surface through the corona and interplanetary medium to its eventual impact at Earth.

Image above: Mounted onto the STEREO Spacecraft are four instrument packages: SECCHI, SWAVES, IMPACT, and PLASTIC.

Farthest out, Helioshperic Imager 2 (HI2) covers a wide angle, from the edge of Helioshperic Imager 1's view, all the way to earth.

Below are the most recent HI2 images received by NASA. Black and or gray pixels may show and indicate data not received from STEREO.

Helioshperic Imager 1 (HI1) looks at a smaller area of space, that's closer to the Sun, as shaded below.

Below are the most recent HI1 images received by NASA.

Coronagraph 2 (COR 2) looks at the Sun's outer corona, a view that's a bit closer than HI1.

Coronagraph 1 (COR 1) captures pictures of solar storms when they're a little closer to the Sun than in COR 2.  The camera uses a disk to mimic an eclipse and block out unwanted light from closer to the Sun.

Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUVI) looks directly at the Sun.  Using four specialized filters they can reveal the origins of solar features.

Below are the most recent EUVI images received by NASA.

Where is STEREO Today?

The most current positions of STEREO A and STEREO B are plotted below.

This figure plots the current positions of the STEREO Ahead (red) and Behind (blue) spacecraft relative to the Sun (yellow) and Earth (green). The dotted lines show the angular displacement from the Sun. Units are in A.U.

When the two spacecraft are close to Earth, an expanded view of the region around Earth will appear on the right, in the same orientation as the Sun-centered view.

Get the latest positions of STEREO A and B by visiting http://stereo-ssc.nascom.nasa.gov/where.shtml.

The most current IMPACT/PLASTIC Solar Wind Data is below:

The most current IMPACT Solar Energetic Particle Data is below:

The most current SWAVES Radio Data is below:

For more information, visit NASA's website at http://stereo-ssc.nascom.nasa.gov/beacon/beacon_insitu.shtml.